Governor Chris Christie today signed a bill to immediately lift New Jersey’s complete ban on the sale and possession of fireworks by exempting certain sparkling devices and novelties, specifically sparklers.

The new legislation, which goes into effect today, permits devices such as hand-held sparklers and ground-based sparklers, and novelty items, including party poppers and snappers. Equally important, all other fireworks will remain illegal in the State, under the new legislation, including all explosive and aerial fireworks such as firecrackers, sky rockets, bottle rockets, Roman candles and similar devices.

The new legislation also restricts the sale of sparklers to individuals who are 16-years-old and over. Sales of the items will be permitted in retail stores throughout the State subject to the federal National Fire Protection Agency’s guidelines. The storage and sale of these items is regulated under federal law and must be consistent with the National Fire Protection Association Code for the Manufacture, Transportation, Storage, and Retail Sales of Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles, 2006 edition.